Riewoldt shows guns the ropes

Nick Riewoldt is carted from the ground after his 300th game for the Saints. Photo: AAP Image.

Nick Riewoldt showed a couple of fellow key forward No.1 draft picks how it is done, in his 300th game no less.

The Western Bulldogs may have spoilt Saints skipper's milestone party last Saturday, but he did all he could to inspire his teammates.

The top draft selection in 2000, Riewoldt hauled in a game-high 14 marks, gathered 23 touches and kicked 2.2 of his team's total of 5.6.

While the 2013 No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd had his best game for the Bulldogs, kicking three goals, the following year's top selection, Saint Paddy McCartin, endured a tough night at Etihad Stadium. He took six marks, but could not add to the scoreboard.

Having to take on an increasingly miserly Dogs defence led by Robert Murphy and Dale Morris, it was McCartin's first game of the season after booting seven majors in the VFL for Sandringham the previous week.

"It was a big step up obviously from a VFL practice match ... but I'll be a lot better for the run," the 19-year-old told reporters yesterday.

"I think we've just got to keep working together as a team and the more we can gel and play together the better off we'll be."

McCartin said he was savouring playing alongside Riewoldt in the twilight of his career, even if the veteran was spending more time up the field.

"He is still teaching me lots and showing me little things that I can do on and off the field," McCartin said.

"The good thing about 'Rooey' is you don't have to be standing next to him and talking for 20 minutes to learn."

The Saints, sitting last on the ladder, take on Collingwood this Saturday at the MCG.